Composite dressings for the treatment of wounds

Abstract

Non-occlusive composite wound dressings that comprises a material polymer wound-healing layer comprised of isolated polymer fibers, and a synthetic polymer foam layer having at least one surface physically adhered to the natural layer by the physical interlocking of the polymer fibers with the surface. Also, a process for the preparation of a non-occlusive composite wound dressing comprising contacting a synthetic polymer foam porous surface with a solution and/or suspension of natural polymer fibers in a medium, and removing the medium from the fibers under conditions that result in the fibers penetrating into pores of the surface and that form a dried composite of the polymer foam adhered physically to a layer comprising natural polymer fiber.

1. A non-occlusive composite wound dressing comprising (1) a natural polymer would-healing layer comprised of isolated polymer fibers consisting essentially of helical collagen fibers, and (2) an at least partially air- and water vapor-permeable, non-biodegradable, bio-inert and fully polymerized synthetic polymer foam layer having at least one pore-containing surface contacting said natural layer and adhered to said natural layer by the physical interlocking of said polymer fibers with said pore-containing surface, wherein said natural and synthetic foam layers are not chemically bonded to each other and free of adhesive materials. 
     
     
       2. A non-occlusive dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-biodegradable synthetic polymer foam layer is selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane and polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
       3. A non-occlusive dressing according to  claim 2 , wherein said non-biodegradable synthetic polymer foam layer is a silicone polymer. 
     
     
       4. A process for the preparation of a non-occlusive composite wound dressing comprising:
 (a) contacting a synthetic polymer foam surface comprising an open pore structure, with a solution or suspension of isolated natural polymer fibers in a medium consisting essentially of water; and  
 (b) removing said medium from said fibers under conditions that result in said fibers penetrating into said pores and that form a dried composite of said synthetic polymer foam adhered physically to a layer of natural polymer fiber.